Gov’t aims to build over 300 palay processing centers this year

The government will build over 300 palay processing centers across the country this year to help improve the livelihood of local farmers, President Ferdinand ''Bongbong'' Marcos Jr. said Monday.

Marcos said this move would improve post-harvest infrastructure, reduce losses for farmers, and strengthen national food security.

“This year, magtatayo pa tayo ng mga 300 plus na drying system. Ang sabi ko kay Secretary ng Agriculture [Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr.], sana naman ‘di na natin nakikita ‘yung nagpapatuyo ng palay sa kalsada, tapos sinasagasaan lang ng mga dumadaan na truck. Kawawa naman ‘yung mga pinaghirapan nilang mga ani,” Marcos said.

(This year, we will build more than 300 drying systems. I told the Agriculture Secretary that we don't want to see palay being dried on the roads, and then for the farmers to see the harvest they worked so hard for get run over by trucks.)

According to Marcos, the government is modernizing the entire agricultural system by providing farmers with machinery, essential inputs, as well as crop insurance to mitigate their risks from natural calamities.

Meanwhile, Marcos said the Department of Agriculture (DA) is providing motorized boats and other livelihood tools to fisherfolk.

The President visited the newly constructed rice processing system in Barangay Poblacion 2 in Hamtic, Antique as he cited efforts to mechanize farming and ensure national food security.

Operated by the Hamtic Multi-Purpose Cooperative (MPC), the RPS features state-of-the-art technology and equipment for palay drying, milling and storage.

This facility started its operations last November, producing a daily average of 260 cavans of rice. — BM, GMA Integrated News